Tomatoes Here - Tomatoes There - Tomatoes Everywhere!

Our garden has produced enought tomatoes for us to get busy with the    task of canning.  The first day was a learning experience - the second day, I used the assembly-line method  and the process went smoother.         It wasn't any faster,  just smoother! 

 

"Beatles" music playing in the background helped to keep me on task!

 

We had 4 boxes of tomatoes this size for canning.

 

Cleaned & cored tomatoes.

 

 

We had to take the first canning pot back to the store

(it wouldn't work on the glass-top stove) & order a different one.       

It's a much better pot!

 

 Peeled tomatoes - enough for 7 jars.

 

And finally, after 2 days of canning - 14 jars of tomatoes!

Cooking & Canning from the Garden!

The Raper Garden is Growing!

 

This was our garden in the spring. 

 

The following 2 pictures show how much everything has grown. 

We've learned a few lessons: spacing is very important (the zuchini & squash plants

grew to be huge & we're having a hard time getting between them!), keep plenty of

bamboo sticks around for tying up the tomatoes and pepper plants as they grow taller

& spray for blossom rot often!

We went on a spending spree at Lowes to purchase needed supplies for canning -

$100 later, we thought we had it all.  Now I find out we also need a

pressure cooker canner for the zuchini & squash!!

 

Our first cooking projects: "Double Chocolate Walnut Zuchini Bread"

and "Zuchini-Squash-Potato Casserole". 

Bill baked "Panko-Breaded Chicken Breasts" to go

with our casserole.  They were delicious!!

 

We're looking for new recipes - any you would like to send our way would be appreciated !!

 



"Horse and Hound Festival"

July always brings the "Horse and Hound Festival" to the Johnson Apple Orchard & Peaks of Otter Winery.  The fields were filled with craft, wine & food booths, horse & dog activities and great music.  This year, they sponsored a "Dress like your Owner Contest".  I only spotted one dog & owner in the crowd who I thought might win!

 

Miss Lynchburg sang "America".

 

The dogs chased a  bag around a course.

 

I petted one of the horses.

 

Crafts, wine & food!

 

Bill standing with the "Red Devil" at the Peaks of Otter Winery Tent.

 

What kind of John Deere is this??

 

Don't you think this little tiny cutie should win the "Dress like my Owner Contest"?!